Dan Hurley thought the James Nnaji-Baylor situation was a ‘joke’

There may be a new trend in college basketball. James Nnaji has been cleared to play for Baylor even though he was already selected in the NBA draft in 2023. He is now the head coach of UConn Dan Hurley spoke with Matt Norlander of CBSSports about moving.

“I would just say with the players, obviously with all the G League (guys), I just had no idea that was even an option. I thought it was actually a joke when I saw it. I just assumed that when you stay in the draft or when you get drafted, you give up college eligibility. I wasn’t aware of the loophole in that,” Norla Hurler said in her surprise text.

The lack clarity around eligibility rules has recently caused confusion. Kirill Elatonsev was cleared for a semester after playing in the VTB League, Russia’s professional basketball league. Further, former G League players Thierry Darlan and London Johnson qualified after playing in the G League. The UConn coach added that he supports the players making sure they do what’s best for them, while the coaches find a way to improve their programs.

“Coaches are obviously always going to do what’s in their best interest if they can grab a player from somewhere. That’s gone forever. Coaches cheated in recruiting for years. They paid players. I mean, coaches are going to find ways to make their team the best they can be.”

However, guidelines are lacking, and this could create a competitive disadvantage.

“But I would say my biggest thing is: Who’s looking out for the shield, for college basketball (the shield)? Who’s protecting college basketball, one of the most special things we have in sports. College basketball, March Madness, the second biggest annual sports event every year. We need a commissioner. We need rules, we need guidelines,” Hurley.

The call for a college sports commissioner is nothing new. That’s happened a lot when it comes to college football and the College Football Playoff. Now, the call for commissioner has moved to college basketball, and if Hurley succeeds, it will come.

“So I think college basketball needs a commissioner. And (Roger) Goodell. David Stern. Someone who’s going to make decisions and start making moves that are in the best interest of college basketball, not just coaches and players doing what’s in their best interest,” Hurley concluded.

It’s unlikely the NCAA would willingly relinquish its power, but with multiple different players finding ways to gain additional eligibility, it’s clear why Hurley is frustrated. He is a coach who loves the game and wants the best for it, and he obviously feels that the current situation is not the best for the sport.